Jan 6, 2009 11:35 pm US/Pacific
Lodi Card Room Seeks Change In City Ordinance
Reporting
Anny Hong
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) ―
A Lodi card room is willing to gamble that adding more card games and tables will give them a full house, but a city law is standing in their way.
The Wine Country Card Room is trying to change the city's card room ordinance that limits them to only certain games, such as Texas hold 'em poker. Since May, they have seen an increase in business every month.
"We have some other games we can play, but they're out of style and haven't been around for 30-40 years," said co-owner Chris Ray. "We're at a disadvantage in a competitive market."
The card room is asking to be allowed to play all state-approved games, as well for extended hours and more card tables. Customers say the changes would keep them from heading to card rooms in nearby towns, but there are critics who say the changes would have adverse effects on the community.
"I'm afraid it's going to cause more problematic gamblers," said Ken Owen from Christian Community Concerns. "We're concerned that more and more people will get addicted to gambling, that there's going to be more divorce, there's going to be more crime."
The card room argues that the changes would bring in more tax revenue for Lodi to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. The Lodi City Council will meet tomorrow night to discuss the proposed changes and make a decision.
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